Fluid Pressure Actuator For Adjustment Of Member Patents (Class 474/28)
  • Patent number: 6530860
    Abstract: The present invention provides a line pressure control device for a continuous transmission in an automotive vehicle, wherein a life of a belt is capable of being lengthened by avoiding a slip of the belt under any running conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinsuke Ui
  • Patent number: 6527668
    Abstract: Proposed is a hydraulic scheme for a stepless automatic transmission of a motor vehicle. The system has a variator which is controlled by a hydraulic regulating apparatus, and which possesses a cooler (11) placed in an oil lubricating/cooling circulation from which a line (14) leads from cooler (11) to an oil sump (1). An orifice (13) is located after the cooler (11) in the line (14), in the direction of oil flow, the oil flow through the orifice (13) is controllable as a function of the speed of rotation of the drive motor of the vehicle and/or the speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: ZF Batavia LLC
    Inventor: Ralf Vorndran
  • Patent number: 6524210
    Abstract: An automatic transmission having at the input a starting element (4), a reversing set (46), a first electronic control unit (65) and a cone pulley (29) fixedly supported on one primary shaft (18) and axially thereto a hydraulically adjustable cone pulley (30), both pulleys forming a primary variator part (19). In addition there is a cone pulley (31) fixedly supported on a secondary shaft (21) and axially thereto a hydraulically adjustable cone pulley (32) together forming a secondary variator part (20) wherein a belt-type organ (37) between the cone pulleys (29, 30, 31,32) drivingly connects the primary variator part (19) with the secondary variator part (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: ZF Batavia, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Ralf Vorndran
  • Patent number: 6517455
    Abstract: Continuously variable transmission provided with a first pulley having two pulley discs, with a second pulley having two pulley discs and with a drive belt wound around the pulleys for transmitting torque therebetween, at least one disc of the first pulley being axially movable with respect to the other disc of the pulley under the influence of an axial force provided on the movable disc by a hydraulic pressure in a cylinder of a piston/cylinder assembly associated with the first pulley. The continuously variable transmission is further provided with a control system capable of controlling the pressure in the cylinder and including a pump for generating a flow of hydraulic medium from a reservoir to a main hydraulic line and a line pressure valve at least operable by a control pressure which is regulated by an electronically operable pressure regulator, for controlling a line pressure in the main hydraulic line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Van Doorne's transmissie B.V.
    Inventors: Wilhelmus Johannes Maria Van Wijk, Hendrikus Adrianus Arnoldus Wilhelmina Pelders
  • Publication number: 20030027673
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure control apparatus has an actuator for controlling an automatic transmission. A case for receiving the actuator is constituted by an upper case, a lower case and a plate interposed between them. The plate is provided with a filter. The filter protects the actuator from foreign matters. The actuator is inserted into the case along the axial direction. The actuator is locked by a rotating operation or fixed by a snap fit. An electric control unit is laminated in parallel to the case regulating an oil passage. The electric control unit is cooled by fluid. The electric control unit has a liquid level sensor in its connector part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Fuminori Suzuki, Motoyoshi Ando
  • Patent number: 6513610
    Abstract: A shift control system for a continuously variable transmission CVT) has a gear ratio controller for controlling the gear ratio of CVT by determining a target gear ratio from a drive point determined on the basis of at least a throttle opening and a vehicle speed. The shift control system also has a vehicle distance controller for maintaining a proper vehicle distance by controlling the throttle opening of an engine. A shift speed control device provided in the gear ratio controller increases the shift speed from the shift speed established at the time the vehicle distance is not controlled by the vehicle distance controller, when the vehicle distance is controlled by the vehicle distance controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Jatco Transtechnology Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Ochiai, Akira Hino
  • Publication number: 20030022742
    Abstract: An automatic transmission comprises a metal V-belt mechanism 10, which changes the speed ratio of the rotational output from an engine ENG, a forward/reverse direction change mechanism 20, which switches the rotational direction of the ratio-change mechanism, and a forward clutch 30, which actuates the switching operation of the rotational direction performed by the forward/reverse direction-change mechanism. A control system for this transmission comprises a regulator valve 50, which generates a line pressure, a manual valve 80, which is operated in correspondence to the shift lever and switches the supply of the line pressure to the forward clutch, and a drive-range sensor 105, which detects the operation of the manual valve. When the movement of the manual valve to a position where the line pressure is to be supplied to the forward clutch is detected by the drive-range sensor 105, the line pressure, which is adjusted by the regulator valve, is lowered for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuichi Fujimoto, Akihira Aoki, Hiroshi Saotome
  • Publication number: 20030013566
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device in a continuously variable belt transmission system for guiding a conical pulley (3) of a variator on a variator shaft (1). The movable conical pulley (3) is fitted onto two bearing sections (4, 5) of the variation shaft (1). To transfer torque between the movable conical pulley (3) and the variator shaft (1), at least one cylindrical pin (6) is provided, which is fitted into an axial guide groove (7) in the variator shaft (1) and an axial guide groove (8) of the movable conical pulley (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Ralf Vorndran, Thomas Fichtinger, Andreas Salm
  • Patent number: 6506136
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission wherein each of two parallel shafts carries a pulley having a fixed flange and a second flange movable axially of the shaft toward and away from the respective fixed flange. An endless torque transmitting chain or belt is trained over the two pulleys. At least one flange of at least one of the pulleys is assembled of two or more parts which consist of sheet metal and are welded and/or otherwise affixed to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: LuK Geriebe-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Schmid, Rainer Eidloth, Carsten Weinhold, Roland Hölz, Bernhard Walter
  • Publication number: 20030008737
    Abstract: A variator for ratio adjustment of a continuously variable chain drive transmission having one variator shaft (1) and one variator pulley (2) supported upon the variator shaft (1) and axially movable by pressurizing a variator pressure chamber (31). The variator shaft (1) has on one end an axial hole (10) through which the variator pressure chamber (31) and a second pressure chamber (8) can be loaded with pressure independent of each other. The pressure is supplied to the variator pressure chamber (31) via a first section (13) of the axial hole (10) and the pressure is supplied to the second pressure chamber (8) via a non-rotating pipe (7) and a second section (15) of the axial hole (10), the pipe (7) is situated within the first hole section (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Dietmar Illerhaus, Rudolf Kauffeldt, Manfred Fischer, Thomas Lindner, Dieter Blaser, Andreas Salm
  • Patent number: 6500083
    Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a transmission case containing oil, a transmission structure housed in the transmission case, for varying the ratio of rotational speeds between a driving shaft connected to wheels and an engine shaft connected to an engine, a transmission control valve housed in the transmission case, for controlling the transmission structure, and a motor as a driving source for driving the transmission control valve. The motor includes a cover, a motor body having a coil disposed under the cover and formed with a wound conductor, a shaft rotated by an electrical current applied to the coil, and a converting structure for converting the rotational movement of the shaft into linear movement. The motor is fixed to the transmission case so that the motor body is disposed in air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoya Hashimoto, Teruo Miyaoku, Shiro Hasegawa, Chiaki Sugano, Hiromasa Ozawa, Hirohisa Ohta
  • Patent number: 6500090
    Abstract: In a control apparatus for an automotive continuously variable transmission having a forward-reverse selector mechanism in which a gear ratio for reverse is set closer to a speed reducing side than a gear ratio for forward and a belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism, a PH pressure that is outputted from a first regulator valve and a PL pressure that is outputted from a second regulator valve are changeably supplied to one and the other of a hydraulic cylinder of a drive pulley and a hydraulic cylinder of a driven pulley via a shift control valve. A hydraulic pressure supplied to a reversing hydraulic pressure connecting element from a reversing manual valve is inputted into an oil chamber of a first regulator valve so that the PH pressure is increased with the hydraulic pressure so inputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kanda, Tamotsu Kotegawa, Yoshimichi Tsubata
  • Patent number: 6494798
    Abstract: A frictional transmission comprising a pressurizing device for applying an elastic pressurizing force generated by compressing and pressing an elastic member in series by a compression device when a belt is pressed and controlled through the elastic member, a condition detector for obtaining a detected value of the friction force and the revolution number, an operating device for suitably creating the pressurizing force, and a control device for always calculating a deviation between a selected valve and a detected value of the predetermined pressurizing force, the control device achieves both or one of error compensation generated in the elastic member or the belt and strengthening adjustment of the additional function by a programmable control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Tokyo Automatic Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenkichi Onogi
  • Patent number: 6485392
    Abstract: A shift control system comprises a diameter-change calculation which calculates the difference between the diameters of the contact circles at present and after a shift to a target speed change ratio and a slip prevention thrust calculation which calculates a slip prevention thrust necessary for transmitting the power through a V belt without slip between the V belt and the drive and driven pulleys. A speed ratio maintaining thrust calculation which calculates a speed ratio maintaining thrust that is an addition to the slip prevention thrust for maintaining the current speed change ratio in constant condition and for transmitting the power without any slip of the belt and a additional thrust calculation which calculates a shifting additional thrust that is added for a contact-circle enlarging pulley to achieve a shift to the target speed change ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsushi Miyazaki, Shigeru Kanehara, Hideo Koyama
  • Publication number: 20020170383
    Abstract: A hydraulic controller comprises a first hydraulic control valve 60, which is mounted on an end face S1 of a first housing unit H1, an oil pump 50, which is mounted on the first hydraulic control valve 60, and an input shaft 1 of a transmission, which shaft is provided rotatably in a transmission housing. The oil pump 50 comprises an outer rotor 52 and an inner rotor 53 in a pump casing 51 and 54, which is mounted on the valve body of the first hydraulic control valve 60. The input shaft 1, which is inserted into the pump casing and fit into the inner rotor 53, rotates and drives the inner rotor. The oil pump 50 sucks oil from the bottom of the transmission housing and supplies it through the mounted part into the first hydraulic control valve 60.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Fujikawa, Shuji Ichijo, Yukihiko Fukushima, Makoto Sumi, Mitsuro Ohtaki, Katsuyuki Narai, Takashi Hasegawa, Shuichi Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20020173390
    Abstract: The invention describes a method and a device for controlling a drive train of a motor vehicle with a drive assembly and a continuously variable automatic transmission with a variable speed gear, wherein an electronic control unit for controlling at least the continuously variable automatic transmission and an emergency device are provided, with this unit being activated in the event of failure of the electronic control unit and a constant pressure/force ratio being established in the variable speed gear. Pursuant to the invention, in the event of failure of the electronic control unit the frictional connection between the drive assembly and the continuously variable automatic transmission is interrupted before the emergency driving mode is made available through the emergency device by re-establishing the frictional connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Stefan Sommer, Andreas Piepenbrink, Steffen Braun
  • Publication number: 20020173391
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a vehicle drive control apparatus changes in the transfer torque capacity of a power transfer device according to various states of operation with respect to at least one drive power source. The vehicle drive control apparatus includes a power transfer device that has a variable transfer torque capacity and the drive power sources that rotate a device wheel via the power transfer device. A controller is included that causes a vehicle to selectively run in a variety of run modes that differ in states of operation with respect to at least one of the drive power sources. The controller changes the transfer torque capacity of the power transfer device in accordance with the various run modes. According to the vehicle device control apparatus, a target oil pressure is raised by a predetermined amount when the mode of run is change, or when the vehicle descends in a direction opposite to a vehicle starting direction at the time of a hill climb start.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroatsu Endo, Tatsuya Ozeki, Kazumi Hoshiya
  • Publication number: 20020160867
    Abstract: A belt-type CVT is comprised of a driving pulley and a driven pulley each of which has having a transmission piston chamber and a clamp piston chamber. An effective cross sectional area of the driving-side clamp piston chamber is equal to an effective cross sectional area of the driven-side clamp piston chamber. The driving-side clamp piston chamber is fluidly communicated with the driven-side clamp piston chamber through a common passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: JATCO LTD
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Katou
  • Patent number: 6468171
    Abstract: A control device for controlling a continuously variable cone-pulley transmission has a hydraulic control unit with one or more valves (110) in a hydraulic control unit housing (101) and an electronic control unit (151) with electronic components in an electronic control unit housing (150). The hydraulic control unit and the electronic control unit are connected as one modular unit, and a holding volume (160) for hydraulic fluid is provided between the hydraulic control unit housing (101) and the electronic control unit housing (150).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventor: Urban Panther
  • Patent number: 6464603
    Abstract: The ratio-controlling hydraulic pressure in a continuously variable cone-pulley transmission is regulated by means of a regulating device in such a way that the control parameters of the regulating device are adjusted depending on the amounts of ratio-controlling pressure to be applied and that the regulation is performed by using the adjusted control parameters. The method includes measures for maintaining a set transmission ratio at a continuing constant level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Michael Reuschel, Ludger Holtmann
  • Patent number: 6461262
    Abstract: A working oil filter device for a continuously variable transmission including a primary pulley and a secondary pulley, between which a belt is made to run. The filter device comprises: a secondary pressure adjust valve for adjusting the pulley groove width thereof; a clutch pressure adjust valve for adjusting the clutch pressure; and a filter for filtering the working oil. The device can comprise a primary pressure adjust valve is provided, in place of the clutch pressure adjust valve. Further, The device can comprise a lubrication pressure adjust valve and a bypass oil passage for returning a drain oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hajime Kashiwase
  • Patent number: 6461271
    Abstract: A first side-pressure, that is supplied to cylinder 74 of the drive pulley 71 or to cylinder 78 of the driven pulley 75 as pressure determining the transmission torque capacity of continuously variable transmission mechanism 70, is supplied to a frictional engagement element, where it is used as the working hydraulic fluid pressure. The transmission torque capacity of the frictional engagement element is set to be somewhat lower than the transmission torque capacity of the continuously variable transmission mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeji Nakano, Junji Urano, Yoichi Sato
  • Publication number: 20020142870
    Abstract: The rigidity of a movable pulley half is enhanced by the rigidity of a cylinder fixed to a back surface of the movable pulley half and influences of a controlled hydraulic pressure and a centrifugal hydraulic pressure which are exerted in a hydraulic fluid chamber partitioned in the cylinder. On the other hand, an annular protruding portion having detection teeth for a rotation sensor is formed on a back surface of an outer circumferential portion of a fixed pulley half, whereby the difference in rigidity between both the pulley halves is reduced by the effect of the annular protruding portion to improve the rigidity of the fixed pulley half, thereby making it possible to allow the variation characteristics of a misalignment relative to a drive ration to approach a characteristic set in advance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takemasa Okano, Toshihiro Saito
  • Patent number: 6459978
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a continuously variable transmission of a motor vehicle includes a controller that controls the speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission in accordance with a predetermined shift condition. The method and apparatus perform shift control in a specific manner during an operation of an anti-lock brake system, for example, by smoothing at least one of the rotational speed of the input shaft and the rotational speed of the output shaft, reducing a rate of change in the speed ratio during down shifting, restricting upshifting of the CVT, increasing an amount of hydraulic oil delivered from an oil pump, and/or increasing belt clamping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroji Taniguchi, Katsumi Kono, Kenji Matsuo, Hideki Yasue, Tadashi Tamura, Daisuke Inoue, Yoshiaki Yamamoto, Hiroki Kondo, Yuji Hattori, Syoichi Sayo
  • Patent number: 6454675
    Abstract: A line pressure control device for a continuously variable transmission comprises: a target line pressure setting part that sets a target value of a line pressure, which is able to adjust a clamping force applied to a transmission member of the continuously variable transmission; and an engine torque suppressing part that suppresses an engine torque to prevent the transmission member from slipping. When it is impossible to suppress the engine torque and thus a torque non-suppressible flag is set, the target value of the line pressure is corrected to a greater value to prevent the transmission member from slipping. Otherwise, the target value of the line pressure is set to a smaller value. This makes it possible to surely prevent the transmission member from slipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Asayama, Tatsuo Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6428445
    Abstract: A transmission has an rpm-converter controlled by a hydraulic system. The hydraulic system has a supply circuit from a fluid-conveyor device to the rpm-converter, a return circuit to carry the spent fluid back from the rpm-converter, and a run-off circuit to return the run-off portion of fluid from a flow-regulating device that regulates the volume flow in the supply circuit. The return circuit and the run-off circuit are merged in a circuit junction that continues into a flow-back circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Oswald Friedmann, Ivo Agner
  • Patent number: 6406402
    Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling a pulley side-pressure of a belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism provided, in series with a starting clutch, in a transmission of a vehicle having a function of stopping engine idling so that an engine is automatically stopped, if the vehicle start-up is controlled from the state of engine stopping in an ordinary way in which the pulley side-pressure is determined by that belt transmission torque corresponding to an output torque of the engine which is obtained by the rotational speed and the negative suction pressure of the engine, the pulley side-pressure becomes excessive by wrong judgement that the engine output torque is large, because the negative suction pressure is small at the beginning of the engine starting. The durability then deteriorates and the specific fuel consumption becomes poor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Eguchi, Akihira Aoki
  • Publication number: 20020072441
    Abstract: A shift control apparatus for controlling a continuously variable transmission device including a continuously variable transmission mechanism having rotary elements and operable to transmit a rotary motion of a drive power source of an automotive vehicle to a drive wheel of the automotive vehicle, such that a speed ratio of said mechanism is continuously variable, the shift control apparatus includes a power-transmission-state determining device for determining whether the mechanism is placed in a non-power-transmitting state, a speed-ratio determining device for determining whether the mechanism is placed in a lowest-speed position, a rotation-stop detecting device for determining whether the rotary elements are at rest, and a compulsory-speed-ratio-change implementing device for effecting a compulsory shift-down action of the mechanism toward the lowest-speed position when the mechanism is placed in the non-power-transmitting state while the mechanism is not placed in the lowest-speed position and while th
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisuke Inoue, Masami Sugaya, Hideki Yasue, Kunio Morisawa, Katsumi Kono, Tadashi Tamura, Ryoji Habuchi, Hiroji Taniguchi, Kenji Matsuo
  • Patent number: 6402648
    Abstract: The device to control a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) having a first bevel pulley pair, upon an input shift and a second bevel pulley pair upon an output shaft and a belt drive organ extending between the bevel pulley pairs, wherein the movable parts of the bevel pulley pairs are displaced in an axial direction by electromagnetic actuators and hydraulic pressure regulating valves, as well as adjusting cylinders, comprises a closed hydraulic circuit regulated at a constant pressure so that leakage flows of the adjusting cylinders for the bevel pulley pairs and leakage flows of the pressure-regulating valves are delivered directly to a hydraulic constant pressure circuit such as the circuit provided for supplying the torque converter and to the secondary circuit serving for lubrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: ZF Batavia, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Andreas Piepenbrink, Bernd Fessler
  • Patent number: 6394920
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission for motor vehicles having a first cone pulley pair and a second cone pulley pair over which runs a belt drive organ. Between the primary pulley (11) and a cover (2) in the transmission housing (1), there is provided for the fluid required to adjust the primary pulley (11), a primary pressure line extending substantially radially toward the center of the rotating primary shaft (12) and from which branches off a lubrication pressure line (8) for the rotating primary shaft (12). The fluid is conveyed between an inner cover (6) and the cover (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: ZF Batavia, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Tilman Morlok
  • Patent number: 6387000
    Abstract: A pressure medium supply arrangement for a CVT transmission has a pump that supplies pressure medium to control cylinders of the CVT transmission in order to change a gear ratio of the CVT transmission. The pump has a high pressure side and a low pressure side. The pump further has a bypass channel connecting the high pressure side and the low pressure side. An electrically controlled control valve arrangement is connected to the pump for opening and closing the bypass channel in order to adjust a conveyed flow of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Hydraulik-Ring GmbH
    Inventors: Egon Eisenbacher, Manfred Unsöld
  • Publication number: 20020052263
    Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a transmission case containing oil, a transmission structure housed in the transmission case, for varying the ratio of rotational speeds between a driving shaft connected to wheels and an engine shaft connected to an engine, a transmission control valve housed in the transmission case, for controlling the transmission structure, and a motor as a driving source for driving the transmission control valve. The motor includes a cover, a motor body having a coil disposed under the cover and formed with a wound conductor, a shaft rotated by an electrical current applied to the coil, and a converting structure for converting the rotational movement of the shaft into linear movement. The motor is fixed to the transmission case so that the motor body is disposed in air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Naoya Hashimoto, Teruo Miyaoku, Shiro Hasegawa, Chiaki Sugano, Hiromasa Ozawa, Hirohisa Ohta
  • Patent number: 6368246
    Abstract: A drive unit with a continuously variable cone-pulley transmission as used particularly in motor vehicles comprises a pressure valve and an OR-gate valve with slide pistons sharing a common valve bore. An interposed push member serves to reduce or eliminate transverse forces between the slide pistons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Oswald Friedmann, Ivo Agner
  • Patent number: 6361470
    Abstract: An adjustable pulley for use in a continuous variable transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle has an axially fixed first conical flange and an axially movable second conical flange. The hydraulic control system which moves the second flange relative to the first flange is provided with at least one first plenum chamber which receives pressurized fluid when the second flange is to move toward the first flange, and with an additional plenum chamber which receives pressurized fluid when the second flange is to move away from the first flange. The admission of pressurized fluid into the additional chamber is regulated in dependency upon the RPM of the flanges. Rapid evacuation of pressurized fluid from the additional chamber can take place by way of a relief valve which opens when the pressure of fluid in the additional chamber rises to a preselected value. This renders it possible to rapidly shift between overdrive and underdrive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: LüK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Oswald Friedmann, Bernhard Walter
  • Patent number: 6361456
    Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission including a torque sensor, wherein torque is transmitted from a rotary input shaft to a rotary output shaft. The transmission includes adjustable sheaves for axial movement on the input and output shafts of the transmission and that are controlled by hydraulic piston and cylinder units. The torque sensor shifts the adjustable sheaves, which are urged towards each other by a force dependent upon the transmitted torque, into frictional engagement with an endless flexible element that drives the output shaft of the transmission. Retaining elements retain the hydraulic piston and cylinder units and adjustable sheaves on the input and output shafts of the transmission in a predetermined axial position when pressure is applied in a first direction during operation of the transmission, and permit the components to be shifted axially in the opposite direction to simplify assembly/disassembly procedures of the transmission and to reduce manufacturing costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Luk Getriebe-Systeme GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard Walter
  • Patent number: 6358167
    Abstract: In a continuously variable chain-belt transmission, a ratio-controlling pressure is selectively applied to either one or the other of two pairs of conical disks, while a belt-tightening contact pressure is applied equally in a torque-dependent amount to both disk pairs. A pump pressure generated by a pump is regulated by an offset pressure valve to a pressure level that exceeds the ratio-controlling pressure by a preset amount and at least equals the contact pressure. A current-controlled ratio-controlling valve device directs the ratio-controlling pressure to one or the other of the disk pairs depending on whether the ratio-controlling current is above or below a neutral value. The neutral current value as well as the algorithm describing the functional relationship between the ratio-controlling pressure and the current are continuously updated while the transmission is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Ludger Holtmann, Michael Reuschel
  • Patent number: 6350216
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manual control of the ratio of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for a vehicle. The CVT has one control device, one shifting or selector device, one starting element and one variator for ratio adjustment and is driven by an internal combustion engine. The control device processes input signals derived from a driver-vehicle system within the scope of an operating strategy under the control of the reduction ratio, the rotational speed of the prime mover, or an input rotational speed of the variator. The operation strategy automatically selects in an automatic operating mode the transmission ratio. In a manual operating mode, the driver can engage directly in the selection of the transmission ratio via the shift or selector device. It is proposed that in the operating mode there is manually preset a signal proportional to the vehicle speed which is further processed as a theoretical guidance for the operating point of the engine-transmission unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: ZF Batavia, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Patrick Speicher, Armin Gierling
  • Patent number: 6342024
    Abstract: A continuously variable belt-drive transmission for a motor vehicle with two pairs of conical discs (11, 21) has a compact layout arrangement where the torque flows from a prime mover through an input shaft (2), start-up element (4), torque sensor (10), first conical-disc pair (11), chain-belt (25), second conical-disc pair (21), direction-reversing element (28), and output shaft (3) to the wheels of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Walter, Anton Fritzer, Rainer Eidloth, Carsten Weinhold, Franz Bitzer
  • Patent number: 6336879
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission with two adjustable pulleys and an endless torque-transmitting chain trained over the pulleys has a torque sensor which transmits variable torque from the rotary output element of a prime mover (such as the engine of a motor vehicle) to the axially movable flange of one of the pulleys. The torque sensor comprises one or more rolling elements and cam faces and/or guide surfaces which confine the rolling element(s) to movements radially and/or axially of the respective pulley. At least the rolling element(s) and those components of the torque sensor which define the cam faces and/or the guide surfaces of the torque sensor are confined in a fluid-containing plenum chamber adjacent the axially movable flange of the one pulley to thus achieve a pronounced reduction of space requirements of the unit including the one pulley and the torque sensor in the axial direction of the one pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Schmid, Oswald Friedmann
  • Patent number: 6336880
    Abstract: In the hydraulic control device a pressure-reducing valve (MF) is used to produce the belt-tightening pressure for the two pairs of disks (SSA, SSB) of a cone-pulley transmission, while the function of shifting the transmission ratio is performed by a ratio-shifting valve device (DBV13) that adds pressure fluid to one and simultaneously removes pressure fluid from the other of the pairs of conical disks. The pressure-reducing valve and the ratio-shifting valve device work in a cascade arrangement where the assurance of a sufficient belt-tightening pressure takes precedence over the ratio-shifting function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventor: Ivo Agner
  • Patent number: 6336878
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission for use in the power train of a motor vehicle has parallel input and output shafts, an adjustable pulley on each shaft, an endless torque transmitting chain or belt trained over the pulleys, and a torque sensor which transmits variable torque from the engine of the motor vehicle to the pulley on the input shaft. The torque sensor also serves to initiate and regulate the adjustments of the pulleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Ehrlich, Bernhard Walter
  • Publication number: 20010049312
    Abstract: A variable speed drive system is provided for use in driving accessories. The system is driven by a rotational member, which can be a component of an engine or any other rotating device. The system includes two pulleys rotationally connected by a first belt. In order to change the speed of the second pulley the pitch radius of the first pulley can be varied by an actuating system which can be located remotely from the pulleys. The second pulley maintains tension within the first belt and drives accessories via a second belt. The system has infinitely variable speed control between minimum and maximum pitch ratios.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Steven E. Warner, Gary M. Putnam
  • Publication number: 20010046911
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method control a belt-type continuously variable transmission of a vehicle having a continuously variable speed ratio, which is a ratio of a rotation speed of an input shaft to a rotation speed of an output shaft. The speed ratio of the transmission is controlled by changing a groove width of each of the pulleys, and a belt clamping pressure applied to at least one of the pulleys to clamp the torque transfer belt also is controlled. Furthermore, the speed ratio of the transmission is set to a low-load speed ratio when it is determined that control of the belt clamping pressure has failed and the belt clamping pressure is raised to a high level. The low-load speed ratio is predetermined so that a load applied to the torque transfer belt is substantially minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroji Taniguchi, Katsumi Kono, Kenji Matsuo, Hideki Yasue, Tadashi Tamura, Daisuke Inoue, Yoshiaki Yamamoto, Hiroshi Morioka, Hiroki Kondo, Ryoji Habuchi
  • Publication number: 20010046912
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission having a primary pulley and a secondary pulley on which a belt wound on the primary pulley is fitted. The width of the groove on the primary pulley is adjusted by the oil pressure in the primary hydraulic chamber in the primary cylinder, the width of the groove on the secondary pulley is adjusted by the oil pressure in the secondary hydraulic chamber in the secondary cylinder. The switching operation between the speed change operation in a state in which the line pressure is supplied to the secondary hydraulic chamber and the primary pressure is supplied to the primary hydraulic chamber by the oil passage switching valve, and the speed change control in a state in which the line pressure is supplied to the primary hydraulic chamber and the primary pressure is supplied to the secondary hydraulic chamber can be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventor: Koh Inamura
  • Publication number: 20010044350
    Abstract: The continuously variable belt transmission is provided with a fixed sheave and a movable sheave provided on a secondary shaft, a first hydraulic chamber that presses the movable sheave in an axial direction, a second hydraulic chamber that gives the movable sheave a pressing force acting in a direction opposite the pressing force given by the first hydraulic chamber, an oil passage connected to the second hydraulic chamber, and an oil receiver disposed along a path from the oil passage to the second hydraulic chamber. The oil receiver is attached to the secondary shaft, a bearing and a bulkhead are disposed on both sides of the oil receiver, an oil passage is provided in the secondary shaft, and a grooved portion provided in the oil receiver connects the second hydraulic chamber and the oil passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masabumi Nishigaya, Shinya Kuwabara, Masami Sugaya, Shinji Kasuga, Syoichi Sayo, Hiroshi Morioka
  • Patent number: 6315693
    Abstract: In a control system for controlling a continuously variable transmission of a vehicle having an idle speed control valve disposed in a bypass passage around a throttle valve, a throttle opening angle guard value is set to specify a throttle full-closed change gear line in accordance with engine coolant temperature. The actual throttle opening angle is compared with the throttle opening angle guard value, and the larger of them is set as a change gear ratio calculating throttle opening angle. Further, by referring to a basic change gear characteristic map, and in accordance with the change gear ratio calculating throttle opening angle and vehicle speed as parameters, a target primary pulley revolution number is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryuji Tayama
  • Patent number: 6311113
    Abstract: A method for ratio control for a continuously variable belt drive transmission with electrohydraulic control by means of a control loop with a linear PID controller with the theoretical ratio of the variator iv_theor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: ZF Batavia, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Danz, Andreas Piepenbrink, Andreas Schwenger
  • Publication number: 20010031678
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission wherein each of two parallel shafts carries a pulley having a fixed flage and a second flange movable axially of the shaft toward and away from the respective fixed flange. An endless torque transmitting chain or belt is trained over the two pulleys. At least one flange of at least one of the pulleys is assembled of two or more parts which consist of sheet metal and are welded and/or otherwise affixed to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Applicant: LUK GETRIEBE-SYSTEME GMBH
    Inventors: Jochen Schmid, Rainer Eidloth, Carsten Weinhold, Roland Holz, Bernhard Walter
  • Patent number: 6299564
    Abstract: A system for control of a CVT driven by a drive unit has an electromagnetically controlled pressure-control valve which actuates both a main pressure valve and a secondary valve for the secondary pulley wherein geometry and spring tension of a main pressure valve and the secondary valve provide different characteristic lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: ZF Batavia, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Klaus Gessler, Bernd Fessler, Hubert König, Stefan Sommer
  • Publication number: 20010027143
    Abstract: A first side-pressure, that is supplied to cylinder 74 of the drive pulley 71 or to cylinder 78 of the driven pulley 75 as pressure determining the transmission torque capacity of continuously variable transmission mechanism 70, is supplied to a frictional engagement element, where it is used as the working hydraulic fluid pressure. The transmission torque capacity of the frictional engagement element is set to be somewhat lower than the transmission torque capacity of the continuously variable transmission mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeji Nakano, Junji Urano, Yoichi Sato